Met Paul and Dorothy at the Queens Inn, a slightly folding, tired hotel in downtown Kingston. Tripadvisor said convenient location, clean, small rooms, all true but the failed to say that you had to walk like an Egyptian to get around the room and you could conveniently brush your teeth, use the loo and pack simultaneously... But it was clean and fun!! Wandered around the old town (this is where The English troops were based when fighting the States in 1812. Lots of beautiful old buildings, forts etc Had dinner in Chein Noir (Black Dog, plenty of French influence in the area). Restaurant owned by member of the Lovin Spoonfull, band from the 60s. Then to another place Chez Piggie for a port before bed. Next day headed off to the USA. One large ferry, road trip across Wolfe Island and then one tiny ferry where the few cars could barely fit on, very funny watching metal squeeze!. Crossed into the States at Cape Vincent, so different from major entry points where we were almost the only non citizens on the ferry. Having said that, they did grill us about our intent in the country, how we know P and D, even what brought them to SA often enough to make friends... Dont mess with border patrol. We are in New York State, stretching all the way to the Canadian border (shows how limited my geography was with me not realizing how big the state was. Then spent the afternoon on arrived trip, up the Saint Lawrence Seaway to see an area called Thousand Islands (but we learned on the boat that there are well over 1000 islands). The authorities know that but somehow 1864 Islands does not have the same ring to it, also with global warming, the number just keeps growing. Out of interest, this is where (yes, you guessed it...) Thousand Island salad dressing was first made...and made famous at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (owners used to summer there). Went to Singer Island, a huge castle built by... Yes the former owners of Singer sewing machines. Really weird with hidden passages and astonishing Gatsby type over the top opulence. Mixture of Knoetzee and some Disney type Rhine Castle ancient Europe flavours. Sounds kitch, but being only 120 years old, it is literally how the very , very rich summered a century ago. Cool place, beautiful river area and the islands all lovely. The off to Sackets Harbour for our next few days and hopefully a bit of downtime... Fun times
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:19:49 +0000
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